hate crime

American  

noun

1. a crime, usually violent, motivated by prejudice or intolerance toward an individual’s national origin, ethnicity, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

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hate crime British  

noun

1. a crime, esp of violence, in which the victim is targeted because of his or her race, religion, sexuality, etc

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Example Sentences

"We are actively investigating this as a hate crime," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl told reporters.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The Met said the unit would initially focus on antisemitic threats, but could serve as a model for protecting other communities facing spikes in hate crime.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

In the last year there were 137,550 suspected hate crime incidents in total recorded by police forces in England and Wales, but less than a tenth result in criminal charges being issued.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

In 2019, he took heat from other Jersey political leaders for quickly condemning a deadly local shooting at a kosher grocery store as a hate crime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

A hate crime is bias boiled down to its most vile essence.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater